The Nigeria Digital Identity DPI Story | ENGINEER LANRE YUSUF - DIRECTOR,SOFTWARE & BIOMETRICS, NIMC

Summary

Engineer Lry YF, Director of Software and Biometrics at Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission, discusses the evolution of the country's ID system. The initial project in 2003 faced challenges with proprietary data access, leading to the establishment of the Commission and a new enrollment system. The new system issues an 11-digit identification number and a multi-purpose card, integrates with other agencies, and captures biometrics. Lessons learned have improved the system, with local software development and real-time digital verification. The system is crucial for accessing government and private services, and efforts are underway to increase adoption and efficiency, including the introduction of a digital ID and partnerships with the banking sector.

Takeaways

• 📝 The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Nigeria is responsible for government ID solutions and biometrics.
• 🔍 The history of ID in Nigeria began with a project in 2003, which was outsourced to a French company and captured 56 million Nigerians' data.
• 🚫 Post the initial project, the government faced issues with proprietary solutions and data access, leading to the creation of NIMC in 2007.
• 🆔 NIMC initiated a new project to enroll citizens, issue an 11-digit identification number, and a multi-purpose card, integrating with other identity agencies.
• 👁️ Biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, is captured for each citizen, with plans to include iris recognition in the future.
• 🛠️ Lessons from the initial project led to the development of local enrollment software and an in-house application for identity verification.
• 🔗 Digital verification is crucial, with APIs provided for government agencies and private entities to integrate real-time identity checks.
• 📈 The importance of the National Identification Number (NIN) is growing, as it is now required for services like passport procurement and banking.
• 📲 The introduction of digital IDs has transitioned the identification process from paper to smartphones, enhancing convenience for citizens.
• 🌐 NIMC is working on cross-border relationships and adopting open standards like MIP for interoperability and efficiency in identity management.
• 📊 Despite challenges in acceptance and literacy, NIMC has made significant progress, with over 100 million records in the database and ongoing efforts to increase enrollment.
• 🤝 Collaboration with the banking system and other stakeholders has been key to advancing the identity program and increasing public awareness.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is Engineer Lry, YF, the Director of Software and Biometrics at the National Identity Management Commission in Nigeria.

What is the role of the National Identity Management Commission in Nigeria?

The National Identity Management Commission is a government ID solution provider responsible for managing the identity of Nigerian citizens, including the issuance of an 11-digit identification number and a multi-purpose card.

What was the first ID project in Nigeria and what was its outcome?

The first ID project in Nigeria was initiated in 2003 and was a concession to a French company called S. They were able to capture about 56 million Nigerians but the government could not access the data due to proprietary solutions.

Why was the National Identity Management Commission established?

The Commission was established in 2007 following an act to address the inability of the government to access citizen data from the previous ID project and to start a new project for citizen identification and enrollment.

What are the biometric modalities captured in the Nigerian ID system?

The Nigerian ID system captures 10 fingerprints and a facial picture as biometric modalities. There are plans to include Iris as the third modality in the future.

How does the Nigerian ID system ensure the verification of identity?

The system includes a digital verification process with real-time verification capabilities and provisions for APIs, allowing government agencies and private individuals to integrate the verification process into their services.

What is the significance of the National Identification Number (NIN) in Nigeria?

The NIN is essential for accessing various government and private services in Nigeria, such as procuring or renewing a passport, obtaining a driver's license, and accessing healthcare insurance.

What challenges does the Nigerian ID system face in terms of public acceptance?

One of the major challenges is acceptance due to the level of literacy and understanding of the importance of identity among the citizens. There is also a need to increase awareness about the necessity of the NIN for various services.

How has the Nigerian ID system addressed the issue of low enrollment numbers?

The system has ramped up enrollment through collaboration with the banking system, harmonizing about 50 million records and generating NINs for them, increasing the total number of records in the database to over 100 million.

What is the role of private companies in the Nigerian ID system?

Private companies, referred to as front-end partners, are licensed to go to remote and rural areas to capture citizen data, making the ID system more accessible to unbanked and hard-to-reach populations.

What is the future plan for the Nigerian ID system in terms of technology and international collaboration?

The system plans to adopt open-source technology to increase efficiency and interoperability, and is working with the World Bank to secure funding to capture every Nigerian within three years. They are also looking to learn from other countries' best practices, such as India's Aadhaar system.

Outlines

00:00

🇳🇬 Nigeria's Identity Management Evolution

Engineer Lry, YF, the director of software and biometrics at Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission, discusses the history and evolution of the country's identity management system. The first ID project in 2003 was outsourced to a French company, capturing 56 million Nigerians but resulted in proprietary data access issues. This led to the establishment of the National Identity Management Commission in 2007, which initiated a new project to enroll citizens, issue an 11-digit identification number, and a multi-purpose card. The project also aimed at harmonizing and integrating with other identity agencies like driver licenses, national population commission, and Nigerian immigration service. A key aspect was capturing biometrics, including fingerprints and facial recognition, with plans to include iris recognition. Lessons learned from the initial project led to the development of local enrollment software and digital verification systems, enhancing data accessibility and utility.

05:01

📈 Expanding Identity Verification in Nigeria

The script highlights the expansion of identity verification services in Nigeria, emphasizing the legal requirement for an National Identification Number (NIN) for various services such as obtaining or renewing passports, vehicle registration, and accessing government benefits. The banking system and mobile telephone companies are also integrated, requiring an NIN for account opening or SIM card registration. The script discusses the challenges of acceptance due to literacy levels and the lack of identification checks in the past. However, the collaboration with the banking system has significantly increased enrollment numbers, reaching over 100 million records. The government is working to raise awareness and make the NIN more accessible, even in rural areas, through partnerships with private companies and government programs that require an NIN for benefits.

10:03

🌐 Global Collaboration for Identity Management

The final paragraph outlines Nigeria's next steps in its identity management journey, including a grant from the World Bank aimed at capturing every Nigerian's identity within three years. The script acknowledges the ongoing nature of identity management, with new births and data modifications requiring constant updates. The National Identity Management Commission is committed to providing these services efficiently. The importance of cross-border relationships and standards is emphasized, with the script mentioning a visit to India to learn from their successful identity management practices. The goal is to adopt open-source programs for increased efficiency and interoperability, ensuring that the foundational identity system can drive economic growth in various sectors. The script concludes by encouraging proactive approaches and learning from successful models in other countries.

Keywords

💡National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is a Nigerian government agency responsible for the issuance of unique identification numbers to all Nigerian citizens and legal residents. It plays a central role in the video's theme of identity management. The script mentions the creation of NIMC in 2003 to address the challenges of citizen identification and data access post a failed ID project.

💡Biometrics

Biometrics refers to the measurable biological or behavioral characteristics used for personal identification. In the video, biometrics such as fingerprints and facial recognition are captured as part of the national identification process, emphasizing the importance of secure and unique identification methods.

💡Enrollment

Enrollment in this context is the process of registering individuals into the national identity database. The script discusses the conception of the project to enroll Nigerians and issue them an 11-digit identification number, highlighting the scale and importance of this process in the national identity system.

💡Multi-purpose Card

A multi-purpose card, as mentioned in the script, is an identity token that serves various functions and is issued to Nigerians upon enrollment. It represents an integrated approach to identity management, combining multiple services or identifications into a single card.

💡Harmonization and Integration

Harmonization and integration refer to the process of aligning and combining different identity systems to work together seamlessly. The video discusses the integration of NIMC with other agencies like the driver's license authority and the Nigerian immigration service to create a unified identity ecosystem.

💡Digital Verification

Digital verification is the process of confirming an individual's identity through digital means. The script highlights the introduction of real-time digital verification, which is crucial for validating identities in various services, emphasizing the modernization of identity checks in Nigeria.

💡API

API stands for Application Programming Interface, which allows different software applications to communicate with each other. The script mentions provisions for API integration, enabling government agencies and private entities to access the national identity verification system, thus facilitating interoperability and efficiency.

💡Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability of different systems or components to exchange and utilize information. The video discusses the importance of adopting open-source solutions to increase efficiency and ensure that the foundational identity can drive various sectors of the economy by working together seamlessly.

💡Unbanked Citizens

Unbanked citizens are individuals who do not have access to banking services. The script addresses the challenges faced by unbanked citizens, particularly in rural areas, and how NIMC is working to make the national identification system more accessible to them through partnerships with private companies.

💡Digital ID

A digital ID is a virtual form of identification that can be stored and used on digital devices like smartphones. The script mentions the transition from paper-based identification to digital IDs, which aims to make identity verification more convenient for citizens.

💡Front-end Partners

Front-end partners are private companies licensed by NIMC to capture citizen data in remote or hard-to-reach areas. The script discusses the partnership with these companies to extend the reach of the national identity enrollment process, ensuring wider coverage and inclusion.

💡Awareness and Acceptance

Awareness and acceptance refer to the recognition and approval of the national identity system by the public. The script highlights the challenges of acceptance due to literacy levels and the traditional lack of identification requirements in Nigeria, and the efforts made to increase awareness through various media.

Highlights

Engineer Lry, YF is the director of software and biometrics at the National Identity Management Commission in Nigeria.

The history of ID in Nigeria has been long, with challenges in identifying citizens similar to other countries.

The first well-known ID project in Nigeria was in 2003, involving a French company called S, which captured data of 56 million Nigerians.

The data from the 2003 project was proprietary, limiting the government's access and use of the data.

The National Identity Management Commission was created in 2003 to address the issues of the previous ID project.

The new project aimed to enroll Nigerians, issue an 11-digit identification number, and a multi-purpose card.

Harmonization and integration with other identity agencies such as driver licenses and the Nigerian Immigration Service were part of the project.

Biometric data including fingerprints and facial recognition is captured, with plans to include iris recognition.

Lessons learned from the initial project led to the development of local enrollment software and an in-house application.

Digital verification is crucial, with real-time verification capabilities and API provisions for stakeholders.

The national identification number is now mandatory for obtaining or renewing passports and other government services.

Financial institutions and banks are major consumers of the verification service, integrating the national ID system.

Mobile telephone companies are legally required to have a national ID for issuing SIM cards.

Employers and healthcare insurance providers are among the private sector stakeholders using the national ID for verification.

Challenges include acceptance and literacy levels, with efforts to increase awareness through media and community leaders.

Enrollment numbers have increased from 7 million to over 100 million due to collaborations, particularly with the banking system.

The national ID system is becoming essential for accessing various services, both government and private.

Digital IDs are being introduced to facilitate easier access and verification through smartphones.

The World Bank is supporting Nigeria with a grant to capture every Nigerian within three years.

Continuous enrollment and data updates are necessary due to population growth and changes in personal information.

Interoperability and adherence to standards are crucial for cross-border relationships and economic impact.

Nigeria is learning from India's success in capturing a large portion of its population into the national ID database.

The introduction of open-source solutions aims to increase efficiency and sustainability of the national ID system.

Partnerships with financial sectors and other stakeholders are essential for real-time service delivery and national development.

Transcripts

[Music]

good afternoon my name is engineer lry

YF and I'm the director of software and

Biometrics at the national identity

management commission which is an ID

government ID uh solution provider in

[Music]

Nigeria the history of ID has taken a

very long time in Nigeria like most

countries have the challenge of

identifying their citizens so in Nigeria

we had the first pretty the known the

wellknown talked about ID project which

is like in 20 2003 okay and this was an

out of the box ID project which was

concession to his to a French company

okay called s and they were able to

capture about 56 million Nigerians at

that time and they issued an identity

token

okay

unfortunately after that program um the

data because it's a propriatary uh

solution the government at that time

could not use the the data don't have

access to the data so that led to um an

enactment of an act uh of uh creating

the national identity management

Commission in 2003 7 and with that act

in collaboration with the Department of

Civic registration at that time created

the m and we started the project AR

fresh okay and under the project that we

started

whereby um we uh conce the project was

conceived so that there will be an

enrollment solution and you capture

Nigerian issue an 11 digit

identification number

uh also issue a token which is the card

a

multi-purpose uh card and as well get

involved with harmonization and

integration with other identity agencies

where in this case driver license uh the

the national population commission that

is responsible for both and debt and

also the Nigerian immigration service

that is responsible for issuing passport

also in addition to capturing one of the

rule is that you must capture the 10

fingerprint

biometric okay and also capture the

picture which is pH there's the third

modality which is Iris we've not

included Iris but there's working plan

to do an upgrade to include Iris in the

as the third modality of uh biometric

[Music]

identification

yeah the lesson learned from The Fallout

from the initial identity project is

that uh the introduction of the look

content so uh in this project the

software the enrollment software was

designed and developed by local vendor

we have also as a commission developed

an

inhouse appli enrollment application

okay another layer that that happen in

this this case is that the introduction

of verification okay what the use of

having an identity if you cannot verify

so there's a a digital verification

whereby real time uh verification and

this verification also uh we make

Provisions for API whereby other

stakeholder in this case government

agencies and also the private

individuals to plug in um and that has

seen um a lot of

interest uh we've been able to plug in

the financial institutions the banks

consuming the

verification uh by rule now in Nigeria

you cannot have you cannot uh procure a

passport or renew an existing passwort

without having the national

identification number so the national

the the N is embedded and coded on the

passport okay we are working with the uh

uh uh uh vehicle registration Authority

whereby driver's license also you will

need to have an N to get your license

and also we have pencom which is uh the

pension commission where but also to get

those benefit most of these government

services you need to have an N

[Music]

yes for example one of the key private

uh shareholder that are consuming the

verification service are the Telos that

the mobile telephone companies okay uh

It Is by law now that for you to have a

SIM card you must have an N okay so uh

also we've seen um other use cases

whereby employers of Labor both private

and government are requesting for n okay

we're also moving towards probably the

airlines before they sell you ticket or

before you board a plane or get some

services like hospitals healthare insur

Health Care insurance you know you need

an N so it's a it's becoming very

becoming viral and important to some of

the services both government and

private uh the citizens and legal

resident

[Music]

conserns yeah absolutely there are

challenge es and we've been able to

um uh we are managing the challenges

okay there are still challenges but

they've reduced

significantly uh one of the uh major

challenges is uh acceptance okay because

of the level of literacy most people

still don't understand the idea that why

would they need uh an identity uh

Nigeria is one of the few countries in

the world whereby you can travel from

the north to South and nobody ask you

for any means of

identification okay few years ago you

can board a plane or enter public

transport without identification but

that is changing now uh that tells you

the level of awareness um we also have

because in in that case up to

2015 we had only about 7 million

enrollments but we able to ramp up

enrollment because of collaboration one

of the major collaborators that really

Advance our cost are the the banking

system which is the Nigerian inter

banking system whereby the uh we we

harmonized about 50 million records of

the BBN adopted those those that made

the criteria we able to bring them on

board and generated an N for them so

right now we have about

103 or 104 million records in the

database and it is projected estimated

population of Nigeria is between 200 and

230 so at this point we can say that we

are about at

15%

um uh capture about 50% of the popul and

we we are making uh much advancement and

the awareness becoming more now because

of some of the key services that you

cannot uh consume those services without

having an N so pretty much we do believe

that n has come to stay and also to make

things easier in terms of verification

we've introduced also dig digital uh ID

whereby we've move from issuing a piece

of paper to having a digital copy on

your phone on your smartphon and this is

just to make life easier for the citizen

in uh some of the benefits of what the

uh National identification system uh

provides uh we Al we also aware there

are a lot of uh citizen that are

unbanked because some of them live in

areas where there are poor communication

in the rural area we've uh tried to make

things easier for them we partner with

um we give license to private companies

so we call them the front end Partners

whereby they can go to the interand to

placees how to get area to capture

citizens uh we've seen a lot of uh

interest in that Community lead leaders

are been um uh public awareness is being

um

uh made known on TV on radios on Jingles

to make sure that every Community is

aware of the importance of the uh

National identification number and also

uh recently there will be government

programs like ptiv that uh the poorest

of the poor will enjoy and one of the

criteria is that for you to uh qualify

for this program or for you to get this

benefit you must have your n in so we do

believe that this will also increase uh

adoption and we bring more people who

naturally wouldn't have come for the

service we come to get registered for

this uh n

[Music]

yes our next step is right now the World

Bank uh

has already also pick interest they want

there's a program that they they

supporting Nigeria with a grant whereby

It is believed that within 3 years uh we

supposed to be able to uh capture every

Nigerian so usually funding has been the

challenge but with this um um

relationship with the bank I think we

will get some funds that will assist in

wrapping up or concluding uh the

enrollment but identity is a it's

ongoing process we cannot capture

everybody because uh the projection in

Nigeria is that you new bonds we have

about 7 million 7 to8 new bonds every

year so you have 7 to 8 million people

to capture yearly and also modifications

people

change names people change

addresses okay so these are also is that

you need to uh update your data which

we increase I mean by the day and and

the national identity management

commission will be on their tool to make

sure they are ready and able to provide

these services so again

crossborder um relationship okay without

standards uh it will be difficult for

you to move from one country to other so

one of the main reason why we are here

in India in Bangalore especially is to

work with uh like to adopt the MIP uh

program whereby it is developed based on

open source so that we can uh increase

efficiency and be able to bring services

to uh different stakeholders due to

interoperability so that the

foundational identity can drive the

economy both in financial and all other

sectors of the

[Music]

economy well they need to be proactive I

know that it's a big project okay the

same way Nigeria despite the fact that

we've covered about 50% of the

population but we're here in India to

see how to learn from what India has

done to have 1.3 billion citizens and

about 90% capture into the database is

something to cherish so we're here to

learn and

to um adopt best practices so any other

country that also would like to uh start

identity program you look at where it's

been done before there is Pakistan there

is India there now Nigeria and there are

few countries also in Africa that have

adopted best practices and um came up

with identity a program that works for

their Community but most importantly

based on well-known and acceptable

standards so that there can be

interoperability yes so thank you again

for the opportunity and thanks to uh our

new director General

engineer who is now the new champion of

identity uh we we're here to look at

best ways of doing things okay uh

looking at our best practices and also

incorporating open source to make sure

that what we have is sustainable and

also to partner with other stakeholders

especially the financial sector to make

sure that all the services that they

provide for the citizens are done in

real time and to the betterment of the

of the country thank you so

[Music]

much